Veterans Day 2015

We live in a special place, safely tucked within the borders of this incredible country.

One glance at the headlines, however, tells the story of a world in turmoil just outside the gates. Benghazi, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq…the list goes on and on. Brutality against mankind has become commonplace. The world has gone crazy.

As we look around, it is only natural to yearn for easier times, to wish for things to return to normal.

But that is the rub, isn’t it? I submit to you that violence, war and atrocities are not deviations in the human story.

They are the norm.

One glance at a history book, the bible, or any narrative study of the human race will tell you that. Barbarism, the horrific treatment of innocent victims, the lust for power and land has been with us since the earliest days of man.

Cain and Abel

We have seen it before and we are seeing it now.

The only thing keeping the chaos away from our homes is the veteran. Veterans have sacrificed life and limb, suffered unimaginable conditions, and fought in terrible places so that we could live our lives in safety and peace.

None of them knew what would happen to them when they signed up, but they went anyhow. They didn’t do it for glory or money. They did it because they felt the nation needed them. They did it because of a deep sense of responsibility and service.

Because of them we can live in this unique, fragile experiment in freedom called the United States of America. It is a special place. A place where we can live in peace, even while the world burns.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifices. Thank you for keeping my family safe. Thank you for everything.